Category Archives: Non-IT

Teaser of “How to be a Great CIO (VII): Listen to Jim Collins”

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You know Jim, right? He is probably the world’s #1 Management Guru these days, and his best-selling book Good to Great inspired an entire generation of leaders. He is the guy who discovered that great leaders don’t need to be charismatic (and added that charisma could even be a liability!). Look, I got some great new personal tips from Jim himself yesterday and I’d love to share them with you. Tomorrow, that is. See you then.

Mercenaries, Volunteers, and Contemplators

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This past Easter I stayed in a hotel on the coast of Catalonia. It wasn’t ugly. It wasn’t a horrible experience. But there were a number of details that caught my eye.

For example, the cheese was horrendous. They seemed to have bought the cheapest cheese available; I imagined a dialogue between the dairy provider and the procurement manager of the hotel.  Continue reading →

How to be a better CIO (IV): Lead an orchestra

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In December we usually have a general gathering with the entire company in Barcelona. We like to do a different activity each year: archery, kart racing, touring the old city competing to see who is first to find a series of historical keys (which is called a gymkhana here), things like that. And after that, go out to eat, of course. Continue reading →

Preview of “How to be a better CIO (IV): lead an orchestra”

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Where on Earth have I been? Well, here and there. End of year festivities came around, I went to Argentina, then I went to London, etc. But really I have no excuse. Therefore, I have something in store for you: on Monday I’ll tell you all about my experience leading a band. Wondering what this has to do with being a better CIO, a better CISO, a better manager or a better parent? I haven’t really thought about that yet, but I’ve got until Monday to think it through.

See you soon!

Less ITIL and more Shakespeare: How to be a great CIO

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Let’s suppose that you are anxious about the future.

Suppose you feel pressed by all the uncertainty in the global economy. Suppose that you´re concerned about your job: maybe not about losing it, but you want to make sure you are untouchable. Or better yet, let’s suppose you really do want to be promoted.

What´s the very first thing you think of? Continue reading →

Steve

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Steve Jobs

I am writing this on a plane, on my MacBook Air, which alleviates my back and delights my eyes, reading his Stanford speech on my iPhone. Yes, I am a fanboy. My youngest daughter, three years old, too: so easy, so natural for her to use an iPad, that magical tablet. How full Apple products are of simplicity and good taste.

I am not sad, because Steve lived, he found himself in this world, he did not live another person’s life. He loved. He created. He inspired us all, and he will be with us forever.

Rest in peace, Steve, and thank you. As Facundo used to say: he did not die, he went ahead. As usual.